[probe] n [ML proba examination, fr. L probare] (1580) 1: a slender medical instrument used esp. for exploration (as of a wound or bodily cavity)
2. a: any of various testing devices or substances: as (1): a pointed metal tip for making electrical contact with a circuit element being checked (2): a usu. small object that is inserted into something so as to test conditions at a given point (3): a device used to penetrate or send back information esp. from outer space or a celestial body (4): a device (as an ultrasound generator) or a substance (as DNA in genetic research) used to obtain specific information for diagnostic or experimental purposes b: a pipe on the receiving airplane thrust into the drogue of the delivering airplane in air refueling 3 a: the action of probing b: a penetrating or critical investigation c: a tentative exploratory advance or survey
[2]probe vb probed ; prob.ing vt (1649) 1: to search into and explore with great thoroughness: subject to a penetrating investigation
2: to examine with a probe "unmanned vehicles probed space" ~ vi: to make a searching exploratory investigation syn see enter -- prob.er n